Minister orders schools to close until Thursday as heavy snowfall expected

MORE than 850,000 pupils will have to stay at home until at least Thursday after Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s decision to close all schools because of worsening weather conditions.

The decision was made after experts warned that the Arctic chill will hit a “dangerous” new phase from tomorrow as rationing of dwindling road salt supplies coincides with severe snow falls. Up to 10cm of snow is expected to hit Munster and Leinster from Sunday afternoon.

There is speculation that schools could be asked to delay summer holidays, or shorten Easter holidays, to make up for the days lost to weather-enforced closures.

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network said while some parents will welcome additional holidays, others will struggle with extra childcare costs. “Likewise, teachers will welcome the break from the danger of travelling, but fear they may have to make up these days during the Easter or summer holidays,” said its director Sean Cottrell.

Around half the state’s 4,000 schools have already missed the first two days of term. Mr O’Keeffe’s spokesperson said he could not comment on the possibility of reduced holidays but said Department of Education officials will meet bodies representing school management and teachers to discuss ways of minimising the impact of closures.

The minister acknowledged the inconvenience of the closure order, but said it was decided on the grounds of health and safety of pupils and staff.

Meanwhile, the Government’s Emergency Response Committee put the nation on heightened alert as authorities ordered a cutback on gritting this weekend in order to conserve what supplies remain to try to keep primary routes open on Monday.

The committee was briefed by Met Éireann head of forecasting Gerald Fleming who said the south and east of the country was heading for a “dangerous phase” on Sunday with the “worrying possibility” of more heavy snow settling on freezing ice.

Environment Minister John Gormley, who is in charge of the Government’s response, insisted the lack of salt meant that “Sunday is going to be a huge task”.

The salt situation remains “critical”, Mr Gormley warned, as the National Roads Authority desperately tried to source alternatives as imports from Europe would not reach the country for at least a week.

Michael Egan of the roads authority stated: “Whether or not we run out of salt remains to be seen. We openly acknowledge the situation is critical.”

The NRA said it only had around 6,000 to 9,000 tonnes of salt for next week, when it needs around 20,000 tonnes.

Fine Gael condemned the Government’s “cack-handed” response to the three-week-old crisis, insisting ministers had not fulfilled promises given two years ago to draw-up national weather emergency plan.

“They don’t have a plan – it doesn’t exist,” said Fine Gael environment spokesman Phil Hogan. “Despite a commitment to prepare such a plan, no such document is being used as the Government stumble and trip their way to a belated and haphazard response.”

Mr Gormley admitted the worst weather crisis for nearly half a century had taken its toll across many areas, especially Accicent & Emergency departments. “In Cork alone, there have been more than 1,000 fractures. Services there are under tremendous strain.”